Universal joint



F. M. GUY

UNIVERSAL JOINT Aug. 28, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9, 1946 x m m w.

FREDERICK M. Guv

A TTOR/VFV F. M. GUY

UNIVERSAL JOINT Aug. 28, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001;. 9, 1946 mu ON INVENTOR. FREDERICK M. GUY BY A TTORNEV F. M. GUY

UNIVERSAL JOINT Aug. 28, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 9, 1946 7 W m M w. fi m R E D E R F% V. B

F. M. GUY

UNIVERSAL JOINT Aug. 28, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 9, 1946 INVENTOR. FREDERICK M. Quv

Patented Aug. 28, 1951 ERSAL JOINT Fred-erickM. Gum Detroit, :Mich.,:assignorito Guy & Murton fIncntDetnoit, Mich ;a corporation of Michigan Application October 9,1946- Serial No. 3702;244

.8-Qlaims. l

The present invention relates :to a universal joint or flexible coupling and more particularly to such 'jointlorcoupling in which :resilient-e1e ments are interposed between the :driving and .driven shaft to provide a fiexible..driving :connection.

The present inventionis an-improvement upon the universal joint construction shown in mykis- :sued Patents Nos. 1,978,939, dated October .30, 1934, "and 2,195,647., .dated Aprilc-2, 11940.

An object of the present invention .is to provide an improved universal joint 'orflexible coupling in which "resilient bushings :are interposed between the driving and driven shaft :connection o providevfor the paralleLangular and longitudinal misalignments of the connected shafts-and to provide a yielding but positive connection Ebetween the .shafts whereby irregularities :in the transmitted torque :loads are .cushioned to provide a'smoothiiowof power throughzthe joint-:or coupling with aminimumamount of power loss.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved universal joint'or'filexible couplinginiwhichall metal .tozmetal :contacts between the driving :and :driven shaft connec-vv tions are eliminated, thus providing :a :joint pr coupling which is e-quietzin its operation, .is'qnot affected by dirt or grit and which :does 1106 1 9- quire lubrication.

It is a further object of the presentinvention itD provide :an improved universalj ointzor .ifiexible coupling in which all parts are centralized in a unitary carrier to provide a joint ror'couplinglof balanced construction which :runs ".true without friction tor backlash :during its operation, the :de-

signlof the carrier and the resilientdrivemember mounted therein permitting :the economical imanufacture of the 51011113 or coupling by v"mass production methods within rather :broad :to'lerance limits.

It is a further object ;of the :present :invention [to provide an improved universal jointxorfflexible coupling in which :the "construction 10f "the carrier permits the ready installation or removal 'of the joint-or coupling between the :driving and xlriven ilanges :attached respectively to the driving :and :driven shafts and in' which, ibecause of its design and construction, the size and weight-of :the carrier'member is held :to a minimum for the' load capacity of the joint or coupling.

It is a further object of the present invention to prov'idea universal joint'or flexible coupling of -theresilient type particularly adapted for use where a high capacity :and heavy --duty universal ijointior fiexible:coupling is-required and imwhich the space limitations require a compact design and constructionof the :unit. The construction provides a separate mounting of each -resilient bushing, thus facilitating the manufacture and assembly of the 'jointor coupling and permitting the separate removal and replacement :for servicing of any individual resilient bushing 'wtihout requiring the complete-disassemblyof the Joint or coupling.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a :part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawings: Y

Fig. .1 is a plan view of a resilient "universal joint or flexible coupling showing one :embo'cli- 'ment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation with parts broken away and partially in section showing a universal joint -or-flexible coupling of the type shown in Fig. 1, the-resilient bushing and carrier shown in this view in-section taken/substantially on *the dined-'2 in the direction of the arrows, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is-a plan =view of amodified form of universal joint or Jiexible coupling and showing a modified typeof universal joint or flexible coupling embodying the present invention.

Fig; 4-is a side elevation with parts broken away, partiallyin section,'sho.wing the universal joint or fiexible couplingof Fig. '3 with the-resil- V ient bushing and carrier being shown in section,

taken substantially on the line 44 in the direction of the arrows,'Fig. '3.

Fig. 5 is-a fragmentary plan view showing an- ,other :modification of the present invention embodied in anniversal joint or flexible coupling.

Fig. dis a section taken substantially on the Iine18-t looking in the direction oft-the arrows, Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 isa fragmentary plan view-showinganother embodiment of the present invention embodied in a resilient universal joint -'or flexible coupling.

Fig. 8 -is-a side'elevation with aportion's'hown in section, taken substantially on the line =8-8 v in the directionof the-arrows,Fig. 7.

' Before-explaining the present invention in'de- -tail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its -'applicati-on-=to*the details of construction and "arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanyin drawings, since the invention is -capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Several embodiments of a universal joint or flexible coupling embodying the present invention is shown in the drawings. The common feature of all the construction here shown resides in the mounting of the resilient bushing. The several embodiments here shown differ chiefly in the design and construction of the members connected with the mounted resilient bushings.

In the several views the same numerals are used to indicate all parts which are the same. In all of the views a plurality of resilient bushings is indicated generally by the numeral ii]. Each of the plurality of resilient bushings it includes a centrally located core I and a circumferential shell l2 spaced concentrically with relation to said core, and an annular body l3 of resilient material preferably molded natural or synthetic rubber or a blend thereof. The faces of the annular body |3 are channeled as at M and it to provide annular groove portions which extend concentric to the core H and shell l2.

In each of the resilient bushings It, a connector stud I6 is secured to the core II and provides a means for effecting a positive mechanical connection between a part to be connected and the annular body l3 of resilient material. A flanged open end cup I1 is provided for each of the plurality of resilient bushings l and has an annular flange portion l8 which surrounds the open end thereof and bears against the edge of the circumferential shell |2 to retain the bushing Ill in a predetermined location in said cup ll. The connector studs N of all the resilient bushings l0 extend through the openings in the ends of the cups H to permit a mechanical connection directly with said studs 5 independently of said cups l'|..

Each of the cups I1 is essentially cylindrical in shape and is provided with a connector flange 26 extending outwardly from the base thereof to permit a positive connection between said cups I? and a carrier flange. As here shown, the preferred shape given the connector flanges 26 is that of a truncated radial segment which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, permits close spacing of a desired number of the cups about a circular connector plate. While this particular shape is shown also in Figs. 5 and 7, it is apparent that the shape of the flange 2|] is not critical when used with the types of connector plates there shown.

In the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, two types of universal joints or flexible couplings are shown which are particularly adapted for heavy duty applications and in which the driving and driven members are spaced endwise within close limits. In such ap-' plications, it is essential to provide the maximum number of resilient bushings l0 within the limited available space in order that the load will be distributed over a sufficient amount of the resilient material to assure the cushioned transmission of the torque through the joint or coupling.

The construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a flange 2| which may be connected with either the driving or the driven member and a flange 22 which may be connected with the other of the driving or driven members. In the construction here shown, the flange 2| is provided with a plurality of spaced peripheral openings 4 23 and a recessed flange-receiving portion 24 shaped to receive the flange portions 20 of the pockets I1.

The flange portions 20 of the pockets II are secured within the recessed portion 24 of the flange 2| in any suitable manner as, for example, by a plurality of machine bolts 25.

Aflange 22 is provided with a plurality of piloting recesses 26, each spaced to receive one of the pilot stud portions 21 of the connector studs l6. A connector bolt 28 extends through each of the openings 23 in the flange 2| and through each of the connector studs IE in the flange 22. A threaded nut 29 is screw-threaded on each connector bolt 28 and holds the flange 22 in connected relation to the studs l6.

Thus torque transmitted from either flange to the other is transmitted through the resilient bushings II] which accommodate, by relative movement of the cores H and the shells l2, the misaligmnents to which the flanges 2| and 22 are subjected.

It will be observed also that the radial edges of the flanges 2% of the pockets ll abut each other and thus provide a compact placement of the resilient bushings about the flange 2|.

In those instances in which a higher load is to be transmitted than is recommended for the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I prefer to use the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Referring to these views, the universal joint or resilient coupling comprises flanges 30 and 3| which may be connected as desired, one to the driving and one to the driven member. Each of the flanges 30 and 3| is constructed, as is the flange 2| previously described, to provide a plurality of spaced openings 23 and a recessed flange portion 24 for receiving the flanges 20 of the resilient bushing pockets H which are each held on their respective flanges by any suitable fastening means, such, for example, as the machine bolts 25. By this construction, each flange 30 and 3| is provided with a plurality of resilient bushings l0, each of the same construction as has been previously described. The pilot stud portions 21 of the connector studs l6 of the resilient bushings I0 mounted on the flange 3!! face the pilot stud portions 21 of the connector studs [6 of the resilient bushings l0 mounted on the flange 3|.

An annular center plate 32 is disposed between the flanges 30 and 3| and is provided with a plurality of pilot guide pockets 33 each adapted to receive and locate the opposed pilot stud portions 21 of the connector studs |6- carried by the flanges 3D and 3|. A connector bolt 34 extends through the studs l6 of the opposed resilient bushings l0 and the plates 32 and is secured by the nut 35 to connect the studs l6 of each opposed. pair of bushings III with the center plate 32.

In this construction, it will be seen that torque -is transmitted through the two sets of resilient bushings |E| connected with the flanges 30 and 3|, the drive being transmitted from the driving flange through the resilient bushings l0 secured to it, and through them to the studs l6 of the resilient bushings l3 secured to the driven flange. The center annular plate 32 acts to hold the studs I 6 of each set of bushings H] in alignment and to distribute the torque over the connected bushmgs.

Relative movements of the connected members are accommodated by movement of all of the cores relative to all of the shells |2 of all the resilient bushings IU. Since such movement is 5 resiliently opposed by the annular bodies of resilient material I 3, it will :be seen that aresiliently cushioned flexibletorque-transmitting connection is provided between the driving and driven members.

Since the number of resilient bushings ID of any given size is a determining fac-tor in fixing .the capacity of the universal joint or coupling of the present invention, a lesser number of such bushings ll! of the same size may be employed to provide a universal joint 'or "coupling for lighter duty installations. Typical of :such constructions are those shown in Figs. 5 to 8, inclusive.

In the constructions shown in Figs. 5 and 6, four of the resilient bushings In are provided. Each has the construction previously described and each is held in an :open end pocket I 1 having the annular flange I8 previouslydescribed. In this construction, two of the pockets 1'! are-secured to a driving flange =40 and "two of the pockets 87 are secured to a driven flange 4|. The driving and driven flanges 40 and 4| are normally arranged with their longitudinal axes disposed substantially at right angles to each other as shown in Fig.5.

The open ends of the pockets I! on the driving member 40 open toward the open ends of the .po'ckets l'l on the driven member 4|. -A dished rigid central member 42 is interposed between the opposed faces of the driving flanges "MI-and the driven flange 4| and is connected with the core portions ll of the resilient bushings Ill carried by both the driving and driven flanges 40 and 4!.

A hollow connector stud "43 1s securedin each of the core portions H of each of the resilient bushings l and is provided *witha female pilot guide portion 44 and 'arscrew thread'ed recess 45.

The dished rigid central member 42-is connected with the studs 43 by a plurality'of oonnectortbolts 45 each of which has a male pilot g'u'idefl which fits in the femalepilot guide portions '44 in the connector studs 43, and a screw threade'd end which engages with the iscrew threaded zrecess portion 45.

An annular spacer 48 is di'spos'ed Ever the end of the hollow connector stud alnd betweenlit and the adjacent face "of the center-member. A look washer 49 is provided for each connector bolt 46 to hold it -in its tightened position in the assembly.

In this construction','it' will be seen that "torque is transmitted from the driving t'o' the driven member through'the cores 1 I of all the plurality of resilient bushings ill in the assembly. The

resilient bushings ll! and the "joint or coupling are held in alignment by-the connections between the studs 43 and the ri gid'm'emberlz whi'chalso acts to distribute thelo'a'd over all of the resilient bushings Iii. Here, as in the previously described constructions, 'relative'movement of the driving and driven members' isacoommodated by the displacement of all the core-portions lLrelative to all the shell portions-12 1013 all the resilient bushings it. This displacementisaccommodated by displacement of the annular bodies of'resilient material I 3 andhence all movements of the driving and drivenmembers are resilie'ntlycushioned by the construction here disclosed.

A futher modified form' uiiiversal joint 'or coupling particularly adapted for lighterdutyinstallations is shown in Figsf'? "and 8 and comprises a driven flange 'i'ao'and-a driving flange I. In the construction here shown three of the resilient bushings I 0 are'eniployed. These "are all mounted on the driven flange 50. Each of the bushings It is of the same construction previously described and each is mounted in an'openended pocket I! which also has been previously described.

Adriving flange 5| as here shown is mounted on a mounting bracket 52 which connects with the driving member shown 3 in dotted line and indicated by the numeral 53. The driving flange -51 is connected by the cores H of all of the :resilient bushings it by a plurality of screw-- threaded studs 54, one of which engages with "each of the hollow connector studs 55, secured to each of the cores H.

A male pilot end portion 56 is formed on the end of each connector stud 55 and seats in the female locating recess 51 provided in the driving An annular spacer 58 extends "over the male pilot end portion 56 and the adjacent end surface of the connector stud '55 and spaces the said stud 55 relative to the driving flange 5| and also provides an additional bearing surface at the point of contactbetween'the driving flange El and the connector stud 55.

In the construction here shown, six of the openings 23 are provided in the driven flange 50 to permit the location of the resilient bushings it in various positions thereon as may be required by the particular conditions of installation. While three of the bushings Ill are here shown, it is to be understood that any other desired number may be employed'and may be arranged symmetrically about the driven flange 50.

In this construction, the torque load is trans- 1 mitted from the driving member 5| to thedriven member 58 through all of the plurality of resilient bushings ill which are mounted on the driven flange 50. Misalignments of the driving and driven members are accommodated by relative movement between the cores 'H and the shells I2 of all of the resilient bushings and this movement is resiliently cushioned by the body of resilient material l3 interposed between'said cores and shells. Due to the particular construction here shown, the load is distributed overall of the resilient bushings ill and hence all displacements of the driving and driven members likewise are accommodated by movement occurring in all of the resilient bushings.

In all of the constructions shown in .the drawings herein it is to be observed that both the torque load and the relative misalignments of the shafts or other connected membersis accommodated by movement which occurs simultaneously in all of the resilient bushings iii. Thus localized loading of the bushings or localized strains in the joint or couplings are eliminated and hence the useful service life of the bushings is increased over constructions in which the loading condition may belocalized on a .few of .the

resilient bushings. It is characteristic of resilient bushings of the type herein utilized that the greatest load will be localized in the Weakest bushing.

number being determined by the size' and strength properties of the bushings and the loads'to be carried by the universal joint or flexible "coupling. The "particular *arrangementof the bushings relative to the driving and driven members embodying the present invention has been in service, the individual blocks may be removed and replaced as may be required by the service conditions of the joint or coupling Without disturbing others of the blocks in the assembly. This is particularly desirable where a universal joint or coupling of the present invention is installed for heavy duty work in a fixed installation, and in which the centers between the driving and driven members have been carefully prelocated and may not be readily changed. This is particularly the case in connection with the use of such units in heavy machinery, and in marine installations or the like.

It is to be understood that in the constructions herein disclosed, the driving flange may be connected to the housings carrying the bushings ID or it may be connected to the core portions of the resilient bushings ID as may be desired. Hence the reference to driving and driven members in this specification are solely for the purpose of describing the particular construction herein disclosed and are not to be considered as limiting the invention or of requiring any particular relationship between the connections of the pockets and the cores of the resilient bushings I0.

It will be observed in all of the embodiments of the invention herein disclosed, that a rigid member is utilized to locate the centers of the resilient members It! in the assembly and to assure the distribution of the loads over all of the resilient bushings in the assembly.

I claim:

1. A resilient torque transmitting coupling including a plurality of resilient bushings each having a central core portion and a circumferential shell, a pocket surrounding the shell of each of said bushings and having a connector flange in the shape of a truncated radial segment detachably secured to a rotatable flange, and a rigid connector plate member secured to the central core portions of all of said resilient bushings.

2. A resilient torque transmitting coupling including a plurality of resilient bushings, each having a central core portion and a circumferential shell, a pocket surrounding the shell of each of said bushings and having a connector flange in the shape of a truncated radial segment detachably secured to the flanges connected to the driving and driven members respectively, and a rigid connector plate disposed between said flanges and connected with the core portions of all of said plurality of resilient bushings.

3. A resilient torque transmitting coupling including a plurality of resilient bushings each having a central core portion and a circumferential shell, a pocket surrounding the shell of each of said bushings and having a connector flange in the shape of a truncated radial segment detachably secured to a rotatable flange, a rigid connector member secured to the central core portions of all of said resilient bushings, locating means on said rigid connector member and attaching means secured to the cores of said resilient bushings and cooperating with said locating means to connect the core portions of said resilient bushings to said rigid connector member in preselected and fixed locations.

4. A resilient torque transmitting coupling including a plurality of resilient bushings, each having a central core portion and a circumferential shell, a pocket surrounding the shell of each of said bushings and having a connector flange in the shape of a truncated radial segment detachably secured to the flanges connected to the driving and driven members respectively, a rigid connector plate disposed between said flanges and connected with the core portions of all of said plurality of resilient bushings, locating means on said rigid connector plate and attaching means secured to the cores of said resilient bushings and cooperating with said locating means to connect the core portions of all of said resilient bushings to said connector member in preselected and fixed locations.

5. A device as claimed in claim 2 and further characterized in that a recess in the shape of the connector flange is provided on one face of the rotatable flange to locate and hold said connector flanges in position.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 and further characterized in that recesses in the shape of the connector flange are provided on the faces of the driving and driven member flanges to locate and hold said connector flanges in position.

'7. A resilient torque transmitting coupling including a rotatable driving member having a shoulder thereon, a rotatable driven member having a shoulder thereon, the drivin and driven members being rotatable about a common axis, a plurality of resilient bushings circumferentially disposed on said driving member shoulder and driven member shoulder about the common axis of rotation and extending parallel thereto, each of said bushings having a central core portion and a circumferential shell, a pocket surrounding the shell of each of said bushings and having a connector flange detachably secured to one of the driving and driven member shoulders, a rigid connector plate disposed between said driving and driven member shoulders and connected with the core portions of all of said plurality of resilient bushings.

' 8. A resilient torque transmitting coupling as claimed in claim 7 and further characterized in that said resilient bushings are aligned in pairs extending parallel to the common axis of rotation, one of each pair being aiflxed to the driving member shoulder and one of each pair being affixed to the driven member shoulder, a single connecting member aflixing each pair of aligned bushings to the connector plate.

' FREDERICK M. GUY.

REFERENCES GITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Number Name Date 1,978,939 Guy Oct. 30, 1934 2,181,183 Guy Nov. 28, 1939 2,195,647 Guy Apr. 2, 1940 2,396,353 Venditty Mar. 12, 1946 2,477,447 Fawick July 26, 1949 2,482,488 Julien Sept. 20, 1949 r FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 474,581 Great Britain 1937 

